Change your name through Facebook settings

To change your name on Facebook, open the app or website, click the downward arrow in the top right corner, and select Settings & Privacy, then Settings. On the left menu, click Personal Information, then Name. Type your new name in the field and click Review Change. Facebook will show you how your name will appear, and you can confirm or go back to edit it. Once you confirm, the change takes effect immediately.

On mobile, the process is nearly identical. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) at the bottom right, scroll down to Settings & Privacy, tap Settings, then Personal Information, then Name. Enter your new name and follow the same confirmation steps.

Key Takeaways

  • Your name change appears instantly to your friends and on your profile once you confirm it in settings.
  • Facebook limits how often you can change your name — typically once every 60 days, though this can vary.
  • Your old name remains visible in your activity log and to people who viewed your profile before the change.
  • You can use your real name, a nickname, a middle name, or any combination Facebook's system accepts without special characters.

What names Facebook will and won't accept

Facebook has rules about what characters and formats it allows in names. You can use letters, numbers, periods, hyphens, and apostrophes. The system rejects names with excessive punctuation, all capital letters, numbers that look like they're replacing letters (like "1" for "I"), or repeated characters. Facebook also flags names that look like they're trying to impersonate someone else or advertise a business.

If your name contains characters from another language — accents, umlauts, or non-Latin scripts — Facebook usually accepts them. If the system rejects your name, try removing extra punctuation or spacing, or contact Facebook through the help center to explain why your name needs special characters.

How often you can change your name

Facebook typically allows you to change your name once every 60 days. If you try to change it more frequently, you'll see a message saying you have to wait before making another change. The timer starts from your last confirmed name change, not from when you attempted a change that was rejected.

If you need to change your name more urgently — for example, after a legal name change — you can contact Facebook's help center and explain the situation. They may allow an exception, though response times vary and there's no may provide they'll override the waiting period.

Changing your name after a legal name change

If you've legally changed your name through a court order or government process, you can update Facebook to match. Go through the standard name-change process in settings. If Facebook's system rejects your new legal name or you hit the 60-day waiting period, you can contact Facebook's help center and explain that you've had a legal name change. Have your legal documents ready if they ask for proof.

Some people find it faster to contact Facebook through their help center form rather than waiting out the 60-day window. Explain that you have a court order or government document showing your new legal name, and Facebook may process your request sooner.

What happens to your old name

When you change your name, your old name doesn't disappear completely. People who viewed your profile before the change may still remember it, and your activity log (visible only to you) shows your name history. Your old posts, comments, and messages stay attached to your account under your new name, but anyone looking at your profile now sees only your current name.

If someone searches for your old name, they won't find your profile — only your new name will show up in search results. This is useful if you're trying to distance yourself from an old name, though people who already know you may still search for the old one and not find you.

Changing your display name versus your profile name

Facebook has two name fields that can cause confusion. Your profile name is what you change in settings — this is the official name on your account and what appears on your profile and in search results. Your display name (or username) is different: it's the custom URL you can create, like facebook.com/yourname, and it doesn't have to match your real name at all.

If you want to change your username instead of your profile name, go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, then Username. You can change your username once every 60 days as well. Many people keep their username the same for years while changing their profile name occasionally.

Troubleshooting name change problems

If Facebook rejects your name change, the most common reason is that the system thinks you're using special characters, numbers, or punctuation in a way that violates its rules. Try removing extra spaces, periods, or hyphens and submit again. If your name contains an apostrophe (like O'Brien or D'Angelo), make sure you're using a straight apostrophe, not a curly one.

If you're stuck in the 60-day waiting period and need to change your name urgently, visit Facebook's help center and look for the option to report a problem with your name. Explain your situation — whether it's a legal name change, a safety concern, or another reason — and Facebook may review your request. Response times vary from a few days to several weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my name on Facebook change it anywhere else?

No. Changing your Facebook name only affects your Facebook profile and account. It doesn't change your name on Instagram, WhatsApp, or any other service, even though Facebook owns them. You have to update each platform separately if you want your name consistent across all of them.

Can I change my name back to what it was before?

Yes, but you still have to wait 60 days between changes. If you changed your name and regret it, you can change it back after the waiting period ends. The 60-day timer applies to any name change, whether it's to something new or back to something old.

Will my friends get notified when I change my name?

Facebook doesn't send a notification about your name change. Your friends will see your new name the next time they visit your profile or see you in their feed, but they won't receive an alert. If you want people to know about the change, you can post about it or tell them directly.

What if someone else is using my real name on Facebook?

If another account is using your name and impersonating you, report it to Facebook. Go to their profile, click the three dots in the top right, and select Report. Choose It's pretending to be someone and follow the steps. Facebook reviews impersonation reports and may remove the account or ask the person to change their name.

Can I use a fake name on Facebook?

Facebook's policy requires you to use the name you go by in everyday life, but enforcement is inconsistent. Many people use nicknames, middle names, or stage names without problems. If Facebook flags your account as using a fake name, they may ask you to confirm your identity or change it to match government documents. Using a completely fictional name increases the risk of your account being disabled.